Students will research an invasive species and create a wanted poster. Class time will be given to choose and invasive species and conduct research pertinent to the assignment. At the end of class, students will be expected to have the basic questions answered that will help them create their poster. These questions will be given on their invasive species project handout. This project should be finished within a few days. Time may be given in future classes to help in the completion of this project.
Objectives
Students will be able to…
Describe how an invasive species causes problems in an ecosystem
Identify the origin of the invasive species
Identify how the organism was introduced
Identify and explain what aspects of the ecosystem the invasive species affects
Identify and explain what actions are being taken to control this invader
Preparation Notes:
Create a list of invasive species for students to choose from and a sign up sheet. As students walk into the room, have them pull a number from a hat. This will determine who gets to go first in picking an invasive species. Student will put their name next to the invasive specie they chose for their project. Put a copy of the sign up sheet on your website (if you have one) or post it in the classroom.
Be sure to reserve time in computer lab for research
Yesterday we talked about biodiversity and a variety of impacts humans have on ecosystems.
Who can name some impacts we talked about yesterday?
Today you will begin a project that will help you gain better understanding of invasive species and how they impact ecosystems.
Do you think we have any invasive species here in RI?
Can anybody name any off the top of their head?
I will show a few pictures of local invasive species and talk briefly about their impacts. As I am talking, I will have a student hand out the list of invasive species. I will tell the students that the number they picked on the way into class is the order in which they get to choose their invasive species. While they are waiting for their turn, they should look over the list and choose a few that they think they might like to research (that way they have more than one if someone else has already chosen their original pick).
You will be creating a wanted poster for your organism including all of the information on the assignment handout.
By the end of today you should have finished the questions on the invasive species handout. This should give you all of the information you need to begin your poster.
Activity
Students will chose an invasive organism to research. In the computer lab, students will research their organism and fill in the worksheet to help them with their project.
Today I want you to fill out all of the important information on your invasive species worksheet.
Use reputable websites! Do not use wikipedia!
I’ll give a description of reputable websites
Before we leave class today I will be checking to see how far you have gotten with your research. This will be part of your grade so be on task!
Students will be creating a wanted poster of their organism including all of the information on the assignment worksheet. By the end of the day, they should have filled out the worksheet and begun to think of how to create their wanted poster.
Closing
Give me some examples of how invasive species are introduced.
What are some of the major ways invasive species damage ecosystems?
Are you finding this in your research about your organism?
Take your research findings with you and create an outline of what will be in your wanted poster.
Your outline is due tomorrow!
Assessment
Assessment will be the completed wanted poster. Parts of the assessment will be checked every day. Today, I will check on their research progress in the computer lab to prevent game playing and general goofing off. Tomorrow I expect an outline for their poster and will allow for some drawing. The following day will be a draft, and the final poster will be due the day after that.
Homework
Students must continue working on this project at home. Only a limited amount of class time will be allotted for work on this project.
Due tomorrow: An outline of what will be on your wanted poster.
Overview
Students will research an invasive species and create a wanted poster. Class time will be given to choose and invasive species and conduct research pertinent to the assignment. At the end of class, students will be expected to have the basic questions answered that will help them create their poster. These questions will be given on their invasive species project handout. This project should be finished within a few days. Time may be given in future classes to help in the completion of this project.
Objectives
Students will be able to…
Preparation Notes:
Materials
Instruction
Opening
Yesterday we talked about biodiversity and a variety of impacts humans have on ecosystems.
- Who can name some impacts we talked about yesterday?
Today you will begin a project that will help you gain better understanding of invasive species and how they impact ecosystems.I will show a few pictures of local invasive species and talk briefly about their impacts. As I am talking, I will have a student hand out the list of invasive species. I will tell the students that the number they picked on the way into class is the order in which they get to choose their invasive species. While they are waiting for their turn, they should look over the list and choose a few that they think they might like to research (that way they have more than one if someone else has already chosen their original pick).
Activity
Students will chose an invasive organism to research. In the computer lab, students will research their organism and fill in the worksheet to help them with their project.
Students will be creating a wanted poster of their organism including all of the information on the assignment worksheet. By the end of the day, they should have filled out the worksheet and begun to think of how to create their wanted poster.
Closing
Assessment
Assessment will be the completed wanted poster. Parts of the assessment will be checked every day. Today, I will check on their research progress in the computer lab to prevent game playing and general goofing off. Tomorrow I expect an outline for their poster and will allow for some drawing. The following day will be a draft, and the final poster will be due the day after that.
Homework
References
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